Ann Patchett | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/profile/ann-patchett
Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2016Sat, 10 Dec 2016 04:23:10 GMT2016-12-10T04:23:10Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2016The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
My hero: Edward St Aubyn by Ann Patchetthttps://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/may/08/my-hero-edward-st-aubyn
'I read the five Patrick Melrose novels in five days. When I finished, I read them again'<p>I have my share of literary heroes of the sort one feels compelled to offer for a literary hero essay. I would happily discuss what <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/henryjames" title="">Henry James</a> has meant to me, or the solace I find in <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/charlesdickens" title="">Dickens</a>. But now that I own <a href="http://www.parnassusbooks.net/" title="">Parnassus Books</a> in Nashville, Tennessee, I find myself increasingly inclined to the work of the living. After all, one never knows what the living might do next, and making literature these days strikes me as a heroic act, which is why I count Edward St Aubyn as my newest literary hero.\</p><p>When the final Patrick Melrose novel, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/data/book/fiction/9780330435901/at-last" title=""><em>At Last</em></a>, was published, the glowing reviews drew me in. A good friend told me she believed St Aubyn to be the greatest novelist of our generation, and that while it was possible to read <em>At Last</em> as a stand-alone, I'd be much better off going back to the start and reading the four Patrick Melrose novels that preceded it: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/data/book/fiction/9781447202950/bad-news" title=""><em>Bad News</em></a><strong>, </strong><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/data/book/fiction/9781447202936/never-mind" title=""><em>Never Mind</em></a><strong>, </strong><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/data/book/fiction/9780330435888/some-hope" title=""><em>Some Hope</em></a><strong>, </strong>and<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/data/book/fiction/9780330435918/mothers-milk" title=""><em>Mother's Milk</em></a>. It's fine to recommend one novel by an author you love, even two, but five struck me as a bit much. Then suddenly several of my friends were taking on the challenge, and so I jumped on board. I read the five novels in five days. When I finished, I read them again.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/may/08/my-hero-edward-st-aubyn">Continue reading...</a>BooksCultureEdward St AubynTue, 08 May 2012 11:47:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/may/08/my-hero-edward-st-aubynPhotograph: Graeme Robertson for the GuardianSt Aubyn: 'a surgical intensity'. Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The GuardianPhotograph: Graeme Robertson for the GuardianSt Aubyn: 'a surgical intensity'. Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The GuardianAnn Patchett2012-05-08T11:47:01Z